Constance Gerstner “Connie” Miller – October 18, 1943 – July 30, 2021

Constance Gerstner “Connie” Miller, age 77, of Sun Prairie, and formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Hyland Crossing. She was born on Oct. 18, 1943, in Stanford, Ky., the daughter of Don and Donna (Krueger) Utter.

Connie grew up in Stoughton, Wis. Her love of animals began during a childhood of being raised on a farm. She showed sheep, horses and dogs in 4-H and was Wisconsin Queen Barrel Racer in high school. Connie graduated from Stoughton High School in 1961 and then went on to cosmetology school.

Connie spent 60+ years in the sport of dogs, 57 years breeding “Malagold” Golden Retrievers. From 1972-1993, she owned Malagold Kennels, a successful boarding/grooming/training kennel in DeForest, Wis. She was previously an AKC licensed All-Breed professional handler and member of the Dog Handler’s Guild. Connie was known worldwide for her breeding reputation and bred more than 150 AKC champion and performance titled dogs. She was also an accomplished judge and mentor in breeder education, and as an AKC Sporting Group Judge she judged throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

Connie was a former owner / VP of the United Kennel Club, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she met her husband, Fred Miller, who was a past president of the United Kennel Club. Connie enjoyed a 50+ year membership in the Golden Retriever Club of America, and in 2015 she was a nominee for the Purina Breeder of the Year. She recently moved to Sun Prairie to be closer to her daughter, Geri.

Connie is survived by daughter, Geri (Blake) Hart; grandchildren, Aubrey (Christopher Koenigsknecht) Hart and Kade Hart; sister, Lynne (Ronald) Rutkowski; special friend and co-breeder of Malagold Goldens, Melissa Davis-Tripp; caregiver, Laura Wickham; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Utter; and her husband, Fred Miller.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be gifted in Connie’s name to The Golden Retriever Foundation-Golden Retriever Club of America and Brighton Hospice.

Those wishing to honor the memory of Connie can donate to the Golden Retrieve Club of America Foundation or Brighton Hospice.

Golden Retriever Club of America Foundation Link

https://goldenretrieverfoundation.org/GRF/

Donations to Brighton Hospice can be paid by check. Checks can be made out to Brighton Hospice and mailed c/o Geri Hart 2916 Pebble Valley Ct., Sun Prairie, WI 53590

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